I shot this photograph of my dad to represent the ups and downs that Black people in America go through on a day-to-day basis. I took two separate photographs and then combined them. I had my dad smile and think of a positive memory for one of the photos and then I told him to have a straight face while he thought of a negative memory for the second photograph. To further demonstrate the message of the photo I made the positive memory have color and the negative memory be black and white.

"Conversation" I learned about the competition in my high school digital photography class and was inspired to create a photograph that represents our generation and current culture. As a French Citizen living in the Bay Area going to Berkeley High School, I often notice subtle differences in our cultures. I wanted my art piece to reflect one of the important differences I see daily. My art, Conversation, reflects the disconnection many teens face from the world. Most teens I see in the Bay Area do not have real face to face conversations. I often take time to enjoy the sunset when I am out walking my dog. Many people I see walking around do not seem to notice the sunset. There is a positive physiological connection we all make with eye-to-eye contact and real conversation. I chose the background to be a beautiful sunset with two people on their devices looking away from the sunset. They do not notice the sun is setting. I chose to use monochrome for the people in the image to emphasize their apathy to the beauty around them. They are disconnected from reality and just focused on their phones, rather than connecting on a deeper level enjoying each other’s company and real conversation. I want my artwork to inspire people to have real conversations which can help many teenagers feel more fulfilled. I hope my art will inspire families and teens to have more conversations and notice the beauty around them.

This photograph features Scout the golden retriever. It is rare to see her so contemplative, but I seized the moment. I reduced the light to come from a singular source, sat down with my phone, and waited for her to stop smiling at me. Finally, convinced I did not have a treat, she relented and gave me her model face. That is how I captured this photograph. Post model shoot, I edited the photograph. I cropped the image, decolorized it, and used dodging and burning techniques to highlight the sheen on Scout's fur and her beautiful eyes. I wanted the artwork to evoke curiosity. Who is arriving? Is the light coming from a door opening? What is Scout's opinion? I am very happy with the result of my work, and I am proud of my hard labor, even if Scout did most of it.

In the town of Beacon, New York, I lay on the historic Hudson line tracks, a self-timer set to capture the solitary moment. This photograph is a meditation on my journey of life, with the vanishing point set just beneath my gaze, symbolizing the convergence of past and future. The leading lines of the railway guide the viewer's eye, leading toward the focal point; my contemplative face. It's a visual metaphor for introspection, the tracks a reminder of my life path and the uncharted ways ahead.

Welcome to my world. This is the entrance to my heart. Everything and everyone I hold dear lives here. On a spring day while hiking on Mt. Tamalpais, me and my family walked on a sea view trail with vast rolling hills and occasional forests. The nostalgic scenery reminded me of the landscapes common in the Ghibli studio films that dominated my childhood; the Joe Hisaishi song “One Summer’s Day” playing in my head. As we stepped out of one of the forests along the trail, we were met with an opening to the expansive grasslands and the sea. I instinctively stayed behind my family and framed them with the nature surrounding us. This photo is still one of my most iconic photos so far. I hold many things that are dear in my heart; this expansive world grows everyday, filled with the warmth from my childhood, the seasons of emotions, and even the harsh blizzards of life lessons. Towards the center of this world surround my best friends; some I’ve known since preschool while others I have met through other means. They have always been the stars that would help me through my struggles and our connections are strong, supporting each other hand in hand. At the core of my heart stand my family: my dad, mom, and my little sister. Each with their unique characteristics, we have stuck together through everything, deepening and strengthening our bonds. These are the people that keep my world alive.

This is a statement piece about the double meaning of "Blue Collar". The man in this picture, Julian Vasquez, is a blue collar worker who works as a firefighter up in Oregon. At 25 years-old, he is putting his life on the line for our community. This picture illustrates the emotions and story of a blue collar worker as the colors cast a darker and moody-toned environment. The other meaning of "Blue Collar", is directed towards the dog, Ghost. At just three years-old, Ghost has spent his whole life with Julian. Ghost was diagnosed with a liver problem, and was only given about six more months to live. This was a year and a half ago. Through thick and thin, Ghost persevered through the challenges that were thrown at him in his life. Ghost is a reflection of Julian, as they've both faced and worked through obstacles that the average human would back down from. They will always stick together and use each other as someone to lean on.